GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE

PRESS RELEASE

Uzodimma inspects ongoing critical health, road, other infrastructure projects in Imo

… Sets to sign MOU with UAE on livestock’s finished products at Achara Ugbo Farms

Governor Hope Uzodimma has commended the pace of ongoing work on health, road, bridge and other critical infrastructure projects at different locations in Imo State, stressing that they are in sync with his administration’s plan to reset Imo State for prosperity.

The ongoing projects include the late Engineer Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre, the Assumpta Cathedral roundabout bridge, the Banana Junction to Eziachi road in Orlu, the new Government House Annex in Orlu and the Seplat Energy and Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited joint venture health facility at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu.

Speaking to newsmen at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu Tuesday, where he led a team of stakeholders and government officials to inspect the ongoing work on a key health facility, Governor Uzodimma thanked the federal government for finding Imo State worthy to host the project which is meant to serve the health needs of people from the South East.

He described the facility as world-class where all manner of diseases would be treated, in addition to serving as a support facility to the Teaching Hospital where it is located.

Governor Uzodimma who thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Seplat Energy and NNPCL for the kind approval for the facility, and its funding, noted that it would go a long way, when completed, to bridge the infrastructure gap in Imo State in particular and the South East in general.

He further explained that the health project will also help in the recovering of the destruction meted to the town by criminal elements through their nefarious activities in Orlu.

On his assessment of work so far done on all the projects he inspected, Governor Uzodimma expressed satisfaction that the contractors have achieved between 70 percent and 80 percent completion of the work, an indication that their commissioning is by the corner.

Governor Uzodimma, hinted, for instance, that baring any unforeseen circumstances, the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road will be ready for commissioning by February 2025 by the President.

He reiterated his administration’s preparedness to connect the whole Imo State with accessible roads that will, not just link them together easily, but make it possible for the rural dwellers who are predominantly farmers, to have value for their produce when they get to the markets of their choice for transactions.

Governor Uzodimma explained that the One Town State concept that has necessitated the construction of a Government House Annex in Orlu and another one to be built in Okigwe, with the attendant excellent road connectivity, will also make it possible for workers to access their work place easily whether they choose to operate from Orlu, Okigwe or Owerri.

He described the experience from the inspection as worth the while and a “strategic way of letting Imo people know that we are not idle, but working tirelessly to meet our set target.”

The Governor said that nothing will dissuade him from taking steps to implement policies and programmes, either in the area of roads, health, power, education, youth empowerment, among others, which will enhance the livelihood of Imo people.

He therefore hinted that he is about signing a Memorandum of Understanding with livestock experts from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who will help to bring to the fore, the potentials and value chain in the livestock production at Achara Ugbo Farms in Emekeuku, near Owerri.

Governor Uzodimma promised to make this year’s Christmas festival more memorable and better for Imo people than that of the previous year.

Oguwike Nwachuku
Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor
November 26, 2024.